Before and After: HGTV’s “Good Bones” Worked Scandi-Modern Magic on this Abandoned Home

It may have been two years ago since Apartment Therapy’s Scandi Week, but love for the minimalist style hasn’t gone anywhere. Embracing this beloved design, Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak of HGTV’s “Good Bones” transformed their latest home project into what they call a “cozy, Scandinavian cottage.” 

Starsiak purchased a 770-square-foot home in the Irvington neighborhood of Indeannapolis for a mere $1,000, hoping that the framing would stay in tact once the renovation process began. But unfortunately, the house ended up caving in while they weren’t onsite, and the renovation turned into an entirely new build.

But that didn’t stop the mother-daughter duo from completing the project to better the neighborhood in the long run. (As a silver-lining believer, I’d even go as far as to say that it gave them the opportunity to design the Scandic-Inspired home they truly imagined—inside and out). 

Since they were starting from scratch, Laine and Starsiak decided to add features that the former house didn’t have in the first place—like a small porch and walkway that delivered serious curb side appeal. They selected some simple outdoor furniture and complementary porcelain pavers, plus some houseplants to add pops of colors against the white exterior. 

On the inside, Laine and Starsiak built the ceilings higher than they were before to make the small home feel bigger. They added pickled wood for the ceiling beams, then a darker wood for the floors. This was probably the darkest thing about the public lounging areas, which was furnished with dominantly neutral colors of white and beige. 

Similar to the outside, the duo wanted to create pops of color indoors, which they accomplished by adding a bountiful amount of houseplants (and we do love plants!) and wall art to do the job. 

Many other unique elements made up this home project, including a treehouse bed inspired by Kile Oak, a historic landmark in the neighborhood. Tune in for the “Free House, Expensive Reno” episode of “Good Bones” to see it all for yourself!

Good Bones airs Tuesdays at 9/8 central on HGTV.